27.04.2021

Conference Cycle: Ethical Coexistence at School

By Lais Carvalho 

We started the training program for parents with the first Conference Cycle 2021 lecture: Ethical Coexistence at School. Educator Adriana Ramos explained the coexistence program at Beacon that focuses on maintaining a positive school climate, promoting good socio-affective and cognitive development, and working with morals and values.

Adriana reiterated the importance of establishing a relationship of trust in the school and the family environment to develop critical and ethical citizens. The relationship must also be fair and based on fundamental values for the family. Last but not least, she pointed out that relations must be respectful even considering the hierarchy between parents, teachers, and children. We should not have an imposing hierarchy but should respect each other without asserting our desires by pressuring or being older and more experienced. 

The educator talked a lot about the importance of realizing which moments we can negotiate or give in. For example, your child can choose between a blue or yellow coat, but he cannot go out without a coat because it is cold. We can sometimes allow a bath in 30 minutes and not at that time if it does not affect any other family rules. We must choose which battles to fight and how to fight them. Bearing this in mind, Adriana states that there are only three non-negotiable rules: those related to health, respect, and study, and being firm with all of them is not being rude or disrespectful, but we need to be precise. 

The virtual meeting ended with exchanging questions and tips on relationships between siblings and between parents and their children. Using examples, Adriana showed that it is possible but not always easy to have an ethical environment based on values. It only benefits the future citizens we are forming.